Not News, But Am I A Racist?

[Deskdiary]

My wife and I have just returned from a 'come as your hero' party.

I went as Rick James who, in my opinion, is the most unrecognised piece of brilliance ever to have uttered a note (Google Fire and Desire - just superb).

Anyway, I blacked-up. And about 45 minutes ago was told I was racist for doing so. I tried to explain that as Rick James is a hero so how on earth can it be racist, but it fell on death ears.

So, an I wrong or, if as I suspect, is my accuser a complete moron?

[davegosling]

No, you are not a racist. The idiot who called you one is, as I hope you explained at the time...

[david small]

So you try to look like the person you admire, that is the whole point of the exercise. By doing so, you have to assume said persons skin tone. No racism there whatsoever. The person who accused you is a shallow minded, uneducated, bigoted fool.

[waterboatman]

I can only agree with Dave and David. Not racist at all.

[mikey4444]

Of course you are not racist.

[Sqad]

Of course you are a racist in "these" times.....blacking up and saying that Rick James (never heard of him) is/was your hero is just hearsay to them..........how were they to know?

Odd times in which we live Deskdiary....very odd times.

[Cloverjo]

You're not racist, but it's not a good idea to black up nowadays.

[woofgang]

I think that what you did is open to being misunderstood.....not racist but maybe not wise?

[pixie374]

Not racist imo. You were emulating a particular person, not a stereotype... but as woof says, it could be misinterpreted.

[ummmm]

I don't understand why blacking up is considered racist.

[Peter Pedant]

no I think you should have said
"Rick James is my hero and I should really have found another way of expressing it - like carrying around a trombone - my bad"
and he would have said "Rick James played the piccolo " or you know whatever
and you say" .....OK then with my arm in a sling then."
and he'll say" Rick James didnt evuh break his arm"
and you say " OK then waving a gun or something"
.....
sounds like a goot pardy - didja have a good time otherwise ?

" but it fell on death ears. " hmm doesnt sound like it

I laughed too loudly at a funeral
( celebrating the dead mans sense of humour - which hahaha o god.....he said once ......)
and asked the usher who was chiding me 'do you want me to go?'
and she said YES !

blimey the wake must have been fun

[Tilly2]

Who did your wife dress up as?

[Tilly2]

I don't know why I asked that because DD will still be in bed, I suspect.

[Peter Pedant]

// how were they to know? //

jesus because it was a go-as-your-hero party
god sqad ( pun intended ) its Sun 08 30 wodger put in your coffee ?

//how were they to know? //
o I see they thought you were mugabe or zuma or someone
no wonder they complained .... [joke! joke! ]

[Peter Pedant]

DD's wife dressed as ..... Cleopatra or .... Messalina ( Claudius; wife and by god she used to mess about hur hur hur like kinda the Romans knew how to)

where did you say this party was ? and when's the next ?
( and will your wife be there .....)

[Sqad]

PP...wrong end of the stick.
How were they to know that Rick James really was his hero? He could have blacked his face to take the *** out of the blacks and to hide it say...."R.J is my hero"............how would they know?

[Peter Pedant]

// I don't know why I asked that because DD will still be in bed, I suspect.// wiv his wife still in fancy dress ......

[Sqad]

PP...LOL..no, she went as Black Beauty ( Anne Sewell)

[woofgang]

As I understand it Ummmm, because of the stereotypes that were portrayed by the actors who blacked up....think the Black and White Minstrel Show. The songs they sang were the songs of slavery but were presented in a way that implied that slavery had been a happy experience for the slaves. The slaves themselves were portrayed as cheerful simple types who were happy with their lot. At the same time black people were rare in show business and those who were allowed in were not allowed to portray black people as handsome, clever or heroic.
Take a look here
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0275297/bio

[mikey4444]

Woofy...I am sure I am right in saying that one of Americas greatest all-round entertainers, Sammy Davis Junior was not allowed into the bar of some of the places where he performed because of his colour !

[Peter Pedant]

hey woofie is a bit serious..... (clenches buttocks and walks like marilyn monroe)

no - yeah sqad - DD as Sir Retssy Khama - you know he had a white wife...... or
Cleopatras ( see above ) ..... Nubian slave.... I mean god he would have to be black to be a Noob. -and DD could go around saying "yes and have you seen my ....."